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The name 'Hi-Fi' makes it sound like it's a Wi-Fi-compatible boombox. It would've been great to stream your music wirelessly. I was hoping for some kind of unique twist, but instead this seems like any other iPod audio system in today's market. The audio quality itself may sound pretty awesome, though... I have to test it out myself in an Apple store sometime soon.
 
iPod hi-fi is the stupidest product I've seen yet for the iPod. Come on, why would I spend more money on this Apple branded "boombox" for my iPod when the Bose one looks and most likely sounds way better. Not to mention the fact that the hi-fi is GINORMOUS. Disappointing product apple.
 
I was initially dissapointed at the announcement...esp. the hi-fi
but this picture shocked me..it dont look half bad...expensive as hell, but i suppose u get what u pay for

but it nearly not as big/ugly/dumb as i first imaged

hifihometoptwo200602286gf.jpg
 
it's a white box with a speaker on it

I mean c'mon Apple, that was the coolest design you could come up with???? Holy moly. A white box with an apple logo and speakers?

On second thought it does remind of that neato BOSE speaker system...
 
Wow, that "hi-fi" (rofl) sucks.

Then again, I suppose it will appeal to people that buy Bose iPod products, which also suck.
 
p0intblank said:
The name 'Hi-Fi' makes it sound like it's a Wi-Fi-compatible boombox.

Some of us are old enough to know that the term "Wi-Fi" is a rip off of Hi-Fi, not the other way around, and therefore by default expect music, not networking. ;)
 
MrCrowbar said:
iFridge with iPod Dock would be nice. Right atop of the ice maker in the full size iFridge Pro. I still think apple should not do accesories. There are plenty out there that are much better on the inside and (and for the HIFI) on the outside.

The FSB on the Mini is great news. Integrated graphics do the job, right?

I think I will buy the iPod Sock anyway. The design is so nice :D

You guys are getting really retarded with this. Are you saying that a speaker system shouldn't have an ipod dock? Is Apple's new high end stereo with an iPod dock comparible to a fridge with an iPod dock? I bought a 5.1 system (low end, at that) for 400 bucks a few years back, and I'm sure that this thing sounds better than my stereo. It does have a sub or two build into it, right?

I'm not getting it, I'm sure that none of you are getting it. But believe it or not, some people out there want this exact product. I'm going to have to start complaining about how stupid the non-mainstream is now...
 
Detlev said:
Hold on there RW. Those are mighty high claims. First, it depends on your definition of a "high end" speaker. Try comparing it to a true Class A speaker and reconsider the comment. Second, "no audible distortion" is wonderful marketing and nothing more, never mind being farthest from the truth.

Unless I'm mistaken, distortion is a function of source quality and power. It has little to do with the speakers, other than that is where you hear the distortion.
 
Latest releases

Not that I had previously thought I would need a 'ipod hifi' but I am disappointed the ipod does not lie flat on the top of the unit so it could be carried around like a boombox, taken to the skatebowl etc. I think apple are really missing the point here. The current design leaves this product to reside indoor such as in dorms, studies etc. Really it's not that different to the current offerings from other companies such as bose. Is this supposed to be innovative?

And why is this listed on their site as a type of IPod when it is clearly an iPod accessory??

And as an owner of a 5G ipod I can say I bet it scratches easily.
 
I was entirely convinced that apple could pull off a decent "Hi-Fi" system, but I admire them for giving it a try, and if they are anything like the Apple headphones they should have amazing sound quality but should break quite easily of used at max volume for any extended periods. I'm not so embracing of the iPod cases though, I mean even if they are super nice, there not worth $99, especially when you can get a nano with that (I think anyway, not so good with dollars).
 
This is just about the worst product Apple's put out in the past few years. It's a glorified center speaker with a built in iPod dock. If you're going to spend that much for a center, why not get a full 2.1 or 3.1 system? What a waste of money. It also is rather ugly. :(
 
I think they should have just released a product that didn't require the use of an iPod and simply integrated with your iTunes network through airport express. That would be awesome if they integrated a clean looking display that has the artwork and song title nice and BIG so you can see it from further away.

I hate the fact that the display on this thing IS THE IPOD DISPLAY. Plus, it sticks outta the top of the damn thing and looks horrendous.

I for one will laugh at the first person who drops $350 on this thing. $350 is way overpriced, and I don't think anybody can disagree with me on that one. Especially because the fact that Apple is not known for making quality speakers, which would be the only reason to charge that much.

I think a $150 price point would have served this product better. (mainly because it is simply a speaker, and there are no other perks to having it)
 
I mighta been down for this if you could add additional speakers and if it had it's own display or something...

Expect price drops withitn 3 months.
 
I'd Rather Buy Some Leather Pants!

supermacdesign said:
Not sure about that one, maybe check the site. I do know it's COSTS $99 bucks though. Add a few bucks in tax and thats over a hundred for a new iWallet. Sheesh what a rip.

Why can't I get over that?

I'm still hoping that someone hijacked the apple store and changed the price on the case ($119 CDN)and that I will wake up tomorrow morning, and it will be listed at $39.95...not that I want one...but I have just been sitting here in stunned silence, pondering who would drop this kind on money for a case?
BTW...who needs an iwallet if you have no iCash left to put in it?!?
 
jrk07 said:
iPod hi-fi is the stupidest product I've seen yet for the iPod. Come on, why would I spend more money on this Apple branded "boombox" for my iPod when the Bose one looks and most likely sounds way better. Not to mention the fact that the hi-fi is GINORMOUS. Disappointing product apple.

The Bose doesn't really sound that great at all. The whole box vibrates at certain low bass frequencies and it distorts. My roommate bought one and ended up returning it. It's got tiny speakers that are just ported to make them sound like they have a low end (which results in monotone bass). The Hi-Fi looks like it has a much larger woofer which should offer low frequency sound the Bose can't come close to. I'm still worried about treble though, it should have dedicated tweeters, not cones.

Why can't Boston Acoustics make an iPod boombox?
 
Oh and that Hi-Fi thing is stupidly overpriced and ugly and would look so out of place in my house

Roll on April 1st:D
 
Could this possible me any more lame?

Wow!!! Amazing!!! I must have this amazing new Apple technology... the so-called speaking box!!! Maybe they should call it... a SPEAKER!!! GO APPLE!!! What an incredible invention!!! The speaker!!! Wow!!! I thought it couldn't get any better than the Gramaphone... and then along came the speaker!!! This thing blows my old Gramaphone away!!!
 
ChrisWB said:
This is just about the worst product Apple's put out in the past few years. It's a glorified center speaker with a built in iPod dock. If you're going to spend that much for a center, why not get a full 2.1 or 3.1 system? What a waste of money. It also is rather ugly. :(

It is 2.1 in a single enclosure. The right and left drivers are in separate compartments, as is the subwoofer.

I do think this is priced too high. Had it included airtunes, I might be interested at or near the current price.
 
I don't get it ...

... SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THIS PRODUCT WORKS ...

I MUST have a Mac and internet to use my iPod.


Soo WHY would I want to blow my iPod by sticking it in the Boom Box ?

Won't it had made a LOT more sense to make it BT or WiFi as the primary input ???


Accordion woofers are the BEST, everything else SUCKs !!!
 
icloud said:
I was initially dissapointed at the announcement...esp. the hi-fi
but this picture shocked me..it dont look half bad...expensive as hell, but i suppose u get what u pay for

but it nearly not as big/ugly/dumb as i first imaged

hifihometoptwo200602286gf.jpg


iPod HiFi is a minimalist's mistake
 
Listen

jrk07 said:
...I for one will laugh at the first person who drops $350 on this thing. $350 is way overpriced, and I don't think anybody can disagree with me on that one. Especially because the fact that Apple is not known for making quality speakers, which would be the only reason to charge that much.

I think a $150 price point would have served this product better. (mainly because it is simply a speaker, and there are no other perks to having it)

My only response to you is...Listen...Let your ears tell you if it's worth $450. My ears have led me to spend thousands on my audio system...and it is worth every penny...some people, will likely be blown away by this device's performance...others will likely be underwhelmed...let your ears decide.

Find it and listen to it...fyi byo ipod...
 
Zillatron said:
Can you imagine how many thousands of these things would have sold if they had them out from the start? (i have an iStation, only because there wasnt an apple one)

Z

Can you imagine how many thousands they could have sold now if it was designed better?

I understand those who say that hype gives us very high expectations, but I have to say that although the boombox has some good qualities (batteries, integration etc), I'm still disappointed in the product. Not the event, the product. Although I haven't heard it yet...maybe its revolutionary sound. Who knows? But I won't hold my breath.

I wasn't expecting much more from the event but I thought that mac mini changes would be the focus. Instead it turned out to be speakers. I mean a press event for speakers....Apple is sometimes a bit too dramatic.

And whats up with the design? If anything I expect a lot out of apple for that. If they had a more appealing/innovative design, it would still be a hit regardless of how many third-party speakers are in the market. Many of us buy Apple products for two reasons: design and function. By ignoring design, half the reason to spend that much money is gone. I'm sorry but this is the truth.
 
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